MACDILL AFB –
U.S. Army Sgt. Corey M. Robinson visited Central Command to meet and speak with military engineers October 27, 2016.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Edward F. Dorman III, director for logistics, J-4, U.S. Central Command, invited the soldier to tour CENTCOM after visiting him at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital.
Robinson, a member of the Tennessee National Guard and third-year Army ROTC cadet at Tennessee Tech University, was involved in a motor vehicle accident while transiting to annual training at Camp Shelby, Mississippi earlier this year.
Dorman, a Tennessee Tech alumnus, originally met Robinson while guest speaking at an ROTC military ball. After learning of the injured soldier’s condition through social media, the Major General paid a visit to the VA hospital in Tampa, where Robinson currently participates in a rehabilitation program.
Prior to the mishap, Robinson trained in the guard as a combat engineer and pursued a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing and Engineering Technology. With the young soldier’s background and professional interests in mind, Dorman arranged a visit with some engineering officers at CENTCOM.
“He embodies the spirit of the engineers: determination, resilience, indefatigability and ‘let us try.’ And he’s definitely trying in a way that is truly inspiring.” Dorman said. “What more could you ask for?”
U.S. Army Col. Scott A. Petersen, CENTCOM Engineer, welcomed Robinson to a question and answer session with a half dozen engineering officers from the command. Robinson asked several questions about engineering issues related to current operations and shared his own engineering experiences with the group.
“Engineers can do anything, and Sgt. Robinson is proof of that. His determination to achieve his goal of becoming an engineer officer is inspiring to all of us on the CENTCOM Engineer team,” Petersen said. “We would welcome him to the team any time, any day.”
Afterwards, Robinson was presented with an engineer’s T-shirt, and Dorman presented him with an engineer’s hat and a certificate of appreciation bestowing Robinson as an “Honorary CENTCOM Engineer.”
"It is awesome to have become an Honorary CENTCOM Engineer.” Robinson said. “It was a great surprise because I thought that I was just going to visit, and I did not expect to receive anything."
Robinson also said that speaking with Dorman and his staff has reinforced his motivation and drive to continue progressing with his therapy, and to further pursue his goal to become a commissioned officer with the Active Army Engineers.
“It felt like I went from something to nothing,” Robinson said. “But now I’m on the road to being something again, and I am passing that motivation along to my fellow cadets. If I can do it, they can do it.”
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Dishman, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), Warrior Transition Battalion, Fort Stewart, Georgia, accompanied Robinson throughout the visit.
“It is very beneficial for our Wounded Warriors to find meaning and inspiration in what they do and to drive forward with the healing process,” Dishman said. “I thank Maj. Gen. Dorman and the CENTCOM team for allowing Sgt. Robinson to see part of this meaning first hand and for providing valuable insight and inspiration.”